LeRoy Clemons

Born Aug. 9, 1944 in Starke County, Ind., LeRoy was the son of the late Jerry and Adie (Bailey) Clemons.

LeRoy was raised and educated in Indiana, graduating from Knox High School with the class of 1963. He went on to attend Indiana State University.

On Nov. 16, 1962, he entered the United States Army, where he would proudly serve his country as a member of the 82nd Airborne. During his service time, he earned the Vietnamese Air medal and was also awarded the Purple Heart. He received an honorable discharge Nov. 18, 1965 and was a reserve until 1968.

LeRoy was married Susan Zimpel of Boscobel, Wis., on Oct. 2, 1966 in Lancaster, Wis. Clem worked for many years with the Hornsby Store Sales/Management Division. He also worked for Wilhelmi Distributing and Kozel Brothers Distributing.

He was a member of St. Thomas Church, American Legion and Masonic Lodge of Morris. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Lazy Acres.

Clem had a great love for baking and grilling. He also was an avid reader of American history.

His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren.

Even though Ford grew up in a large family of 12 — six boys and six girls, he grew up in the middle of two girls older and two younger. This was not so easy for a young boy listening to all the girl issues.

Ford was a very kind and caring person, giving to others in many ways. He was also very much a big kid at heart ... doing fun things and buying those silly junky toys for the grand kids, saying we never had this when I was growing up.

Survivors include his wife, Susan, and their two children, Teri "T.C." (Michael) McCracken of Arvada, Colo., and Jason of Morris; three grandchildren, Lydia, Ian and Patrick McCracken, all of Arvada, Colo.; one brother, Elem (Betty) of Tipton, Ind.; and five sisters; Pearlie Bottorff of South Bend, Ind., Dorothy Hornback of Indianapolis, Ind., Brookie Stapleton of Austin, Texas, Lorretta (David) Kelly of Plainfield, Ind., and Fayetta (Patrick) Younggreen of Michigan City, Ind.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Merdie B., Menifee, John and Carl; and one sister, Icie Shepherd.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the U. C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home Ltd.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 20, 2013 at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Morris. Rev. James Steele will officiate.

Burial will be at Abraham National Cemetery in Elwood with the Morris Color Guard providing military honors.

Memorial Contributions may be made in LeRoy’s name to St. Thomas Church, the wounded Warriors project of John Steele Chapter and the Morris Cardiac Rehab Unit at Morris Hospital.

Condolences to the family can be shared online at www.ucdavisandsons.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted with U. C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home LTD in Morris. For more information, call (815) 942-0084.